Honda Civic Hybrid 2009 Review

Cool…it sounds like a challenge though to keep the hybrid meter AND focusing on the driving itself lol

i may buy the car because of its design..
not because it is hybrid or something..

I like Honda vehicles alot. The design is always very nice and they are of good quality. As you mention the lack of modern portable technology integration is baffling, considering vehicles in similar and lower price ranges by the other major Japanese competitors mostly do have bluetooth, ipod input, and mp3 cd compatibility. The other thing that I feel lets Honda down is the visibility. I find that most often the side pillars at the edges of the windscreen are quite wide and take some getting used to, particularly when cornering, and the visibility out of the back could sometimes be better.

My Prius has averaged under 4.8 l/100km over 45,000 km of mainly city driving; more than the 4.4 government rating but in line with expectations.
I find “pussy footing” is not the way to get best economy. I accelerate at normal traffic rates right up to the speed limit (the electric motors boost the acceleration so the petrol motor is not working hard) and then cruise at a constant speed. I think it is constant speed driving (often electric only) and the shut off when stationery that leads to economy.
Slow accelleration delays the start of economical cruising.
On the other hand early braking is beneficial because the regenerative braking has limited power – if you brake late the normal brakes will do most of the work and convert your energy into heat instead of electricity.
My Prius has integrated Bluetooth and standard JBL sound system with 3.5mm input for external sources, in-dash GPS, reversing camera etc
With the Civic hybrid you used to lose the ability to fold the rear seats down, reducing its utility as a load carrier; don’t know about your 2009.
Plus the Prius has electric airconditioning, so that the compressor can run “flat out” even when the petrol motor is off. This is SO MUCH BETTER than belt driven air-con that depends on engine speed.
The Civic may look better and handle better – but for me the Prius ticked many more boxes and has delivered what it promised – because we expected to use 10% more than the notional government rating.

My “mainly city driving” involves 14 km each way, passing through the city of Adelaide. I live south of the city and work north of the city.
On the way to work I use King William Street – Adelaide’s main street – and pass through the centre of the CBD. I am half way to work before getting out of a 50kph speed zone.
My Astra CDX used 9.6 l/100km on the same route – so the Prius uses half the fuel.

The TS Astra is a similar size to the Civic – with a 1.8 litre 16 valve fuel injected engine and a 4 speed auto – but without variable valve timing.
My Astra’s economy was “bad” because my journey to and from work is problematic for a non-hybrid car. Continual stop start.
The Astra was a CDX with fuel computer so instantaneous fuel consumption was available. It used about 7 litres/100 km at 110 kph and much less (but I forget what) at a steady 60 kph. But I was rarely able to travel at a steady 60 kph – I start in a 40 kph zone and am half way to work before out of 50 kph speed limit. So lots of fuel was used getting it up to speed – then wasted as heat by the brakes when I stopped a short time later. The Astra used usefully less fuel than the Commodore that preceded it!
The new Prius is supposedly 10% more economical than the one that I have. I have made 1 return journey with a demo car – and recorded the same 4.8 l/100 as my 2003-2009 model. But I think new cars are often tuned rich until the first service and 30 km is only a small test distance.
Certainly mine has become more economical throughout its life. The average was 5.00 after 12 months, 4.83 after 24 months and 4.78 after 36 months. Each of these is a whole of life average, not just the preceeding 12 months.
The new Prius has a bigger engine so I expect that its strength compared to the previous model may be more on the highway rather than in the CBD. But that is speculation.

I drive an older Prius and my wife and I have considered upgrading, we’ve been looking into the benefits of doing so, if fuel economy improvement is a reason to switch we’re doing it, not to mention it’s a little more stylish than our older prius. I only wonder what the reliability is on the electric motors as the old ones tend to go out.

Our family has a 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid and love it. Fuel efficiency does seem to get better with time, got 4.8L/100km from Monbulk in Dandenong Ranges down to Chandler Hwy exit in Kew Melbourne. I want to check with Honda & tyre manufacturer if I can increase my tyre pressures a bit more too as they only give one setting and it seems to be for max comfort, not for max efficiency, load or hwy driving considerations. The tyres are low resistance rolling tyres anyway though. I have left roof racks on as they are aerodynamic but keep the roof carrier off unless we use it as it has well recommended quick clamp release system (otherwise I would be tempted to leave it on sometimes).
I am probably getting more used to driving to maximise electric assist and regeneration (breaking early and gradually increasing pedal to floor to get to desired cruise speeds). Also looking far ahead to best guage when to break earlier, not to accelerate or in traffic, not to edge forward unless we are actually starting to all move or there is a big gap (as it puts the engine on soon as you take the foot off the brake!). Engine turns off when you slow enough so I can often coast slowly with no engine in traffic or coasting to lights. I obviously try not to upset other drivers too with all this and most don’t notice it or the fact I am in a hybrid.

TIP: ensure you check with your state motor authority if you need to put a special sticker on your numberplate showing it is a hybrid (like LPG cars need to as emergency rescue staff need to know what precautions to take when attending accidents).

Background: We bought it second hand at the car auctions in Melbourne for under $20K with 67,000kms on it. We had to pay for the roadworthy, rego and a new windscreen due to stone chips and a crack. We then got custom sheep skin covers fitted in the front and custom velour covers for the back that all look/work great for place in Preston for under $400. We got aerodynamic roof racks and luggage carrier that allow us to still go camping despite losing our stationwagon.

Yeah, I pretty much liked the Honda Civic and enjoyed this review.